Building



Nov. 8, 1932. D'HUMY 1,886,945

BUILDING Filed June 19. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l mama? f2 {JFERNAND E. d-HUMY ATTORNEYS F. E. D'HUMY Nov. 8, 1932.

BUILDING Filed June 19. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY? F. E. DHUMY Nov. 8, 1932.

, BUILDING Filed June 19. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR FERNAND E. A'I'HUMY ATTORNEYS F. E. D HUMY Nov. 8, 1932.

BUILDING Filed June 19. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEYS different levels.

storage capacity may be readily varied ac- Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FEBNAND E.' DI IU'MY, OF SCARSDALE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOIE '1'0 RAMP BUILDINGS CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BUILDING Application filed June 19, 1930. Serial No. 462,240.

This invention relates. to storage buildings and more articularly to garages defining automobile ousings arranged in superposed relation for the storage of the automobiles at Important objects of the invention are, to provide for the construction of such a garage from previously fabricated parts of improved design adapted tobe conveniently conveyed to the building site and readily set up there to form the structure; to provide such a garage with driveway floors at difierent levels and ramps connecting said floors whereby the automobiles may be driven under their own power from floor to fioor to reach their respective storage spaces, said driveway floors and ramps being also formed of independently fabricated parts designed to be easily transported and assembled; to provide improved oint struc- 20 tures between the assembled parts which will strengthen the structure laterally and vertically and render it self-supporting; to provide satisfactory slip-joint connections between the parts defining the automobile housings which will enable the parts to be easily assembled and will also suitably reinforce the structure-to withstand vertical andlateral strains; to provide im roved. means for supporting. the driveway oors; to provide an improved garage structure whose cording to the needs of its patronage; and to provide a satisfactory knock-down garage structure capable of being readily taken down, removed in parts to another site and erected again.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a horizontal sec tion taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2 showing thial floor plan of the building diagrammati ca y;

Fig. 2 is avertical section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 a diagrammatic plan view showing the wall panels of one of the automobile storage compartments, the panels being disconnected;

Fig. 4 a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, upon a larger scale;

Fig. 5 a sectional perspective view of a portion of the building;

fabricated, parts, such Fig. 8 an enlarged detail section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 a'detail section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 a face view of one of the vertical wall panels;

Fig.11 an upper edge V1ew of said panel;

Fig. 12 a vertical section taken on the line 1212 of 10;

Fig. 13 a detail perspective view of one of the seam strips for joining the wall panels;

Fig. 14 a detail section taken on the line 7 1414 of Fig. 4; v

Fig. 15 a detail section taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 16 a detail section taken on the line 1616 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 17 a detail section taken on the line 1717of Fig. 5';

Fig. .18 a detail section takenon the line 18-18 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 19 a perspective view of an end of one of the channel members for supporting the wallpanels of the lowermost compartments;

Fig. 20 a perspective view of one end of one of the compartment floor panels;

Fig. 21 a sectional perspective view of one of the driveway floor panels;

Fig. 22 a detail section taken on the line 2222 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 23 a sectional view of one of the compartment panels with a heat insulation panel attached to its outer surface.

The present garage building, in the arrangement of its floors and ramps, is of the type disclosed in my U.- S. Patent No. 1,298,-

183, issued March 25, 1919. Therein, two

groups of superposed storageand driveway I are joined by two groups of oppositely inclined ramps spaced along said plane. My .present invention provides for the convenient construction 0 such a garage from as panels preferablystructures between adjoining formed of sheet metal. The panels are designed for cooperation with improved joint-forming means, to facilitate the erection of the building and render it strong and self-supporting.

' The panels forming the individual storage compartments are assembled upon the build ing site to form straight parallel banks of compartments. These 'banks are designated 1, 2, 3 and 4:. In each bank the compartments are arranged side by side, in superposed horizontal rows. Banks 1 and 2 are upon the same level and are spaced apart to define a corridor space in o which the compartments thereof open. Banks 3 and 4 are similarly disposed with relation to each other but are supported at a staggered level with relation to banks 1 and 2 and with the compartments of the staggered banks 2 and 3 d sposed back to back along a vertical division plane at the center of the building. Preferably the vertical offset or stagger between the banks is equal to one half a story, or one half the height of a compartment.

In forming the compartments, side panels 5, end panels 6, and top and bottom panels 7 are employed. The panels will first be described individually and then their assembly will be explained. Each panel 5 is formed of a rectangular metal sheet elongated vertically and with its vertical side edges turned inward to form hook-like flanges 5 extending the height of the panel, or substantially so. These flanges form part of joint or seam panels, as will be described hereinafter. xtending along the upper edge margin of the inner face of the panel is a metal reinforcing strip 5 which is formed to combine with said margin to form an upwardly opening channel extending across most of the space between the side flanges 5. Below said channel the strip is securely fastened to the panel in any suitable manner as by riveting, bolting or spot welding. The end panels 6 are formed similarly to the panels 5, each having hook-like sideflanges 6 and a channel forming reinforcing strip 6". The top andbottom panels 7 form the floors and ceilings of the compartments. Each panel 7 iselongated and substantially rectangular, and comprises two. superposed metal sheets 7- and 7 b secured together in any suitable manner as by spot welding, riYets or bolts. The upper sheet 7 is flat and the lower sheet is corrugated longitudinally over most of its length to reinforce the panel and is flattened against the upper sheets at the'ends of the panel. 'Two reinforcing angle irons 8 and 9 are rigidly secured to each panel end in any suitable manner. They extend the width of the panel and provide an upwardly extending flange 8 and a depending flange 9*. These flanges form parts of slip joint structures between the panels 7 and the panels 5 :along the corridors and communicating with the storage compartments therealong is formed of a series of panels 10 extending across the width of the corridor. Each panel 10 is elongated and rectangular and is preferably formed of two superposed metal sheets 10 and 10". The upper sheet 10 is flat and the lower sheet 10 is formed with longitudinal corrugations to strengthen the panel. 4

The two sheets are secured together in any suitable manner as by spot welding, riveting or bolting. Each end of the panel is flat and is reinforced by a strong metal strip or plate 10 for supporting the panel as will be described he-reinaften,

At two points spaced along the central division plane of the building the staggered compartment banks 2 and 3 have several vertical rows of compartments omitted to form gaps or transverse corridor spaces'cross connecting the longitudinal corridor spaces. The two groups of oppositely inclined ramps are disposed in said transverse corridors. Each ramp is formed of a series of elongated transversely disposed panels 11. Each of said panels is preferably constructed of sheet metal similarly to the panels 7 and 10 comprising a flat upper sheet 11 and a corrugated lower sheet 11 and having flat sup porting ends. a

The means for supporting the-compartment panels in each bank includes a number of horizontal beams or sills 12 at the base of thebuilding and a number of vertical seam strips 13 for joining together the compartment side panels 5 and for joining together the compartment end anels 6. There are also corner strips 14 or joining adjacent panels 5 and 6 at the rear corners of the compartments. For supporting the driveway panels there are a number of vertical column sections 15 formed for anchorage to the compartment side panels 5 at the forward, open ends of the compartments.

Each base beam or sill 12 comprises a flat metal base plate 12 and a superposed metal plate 12 secured to the base plate-along its longitudinal margins and formed between said margins to define a longitudinal channel 12 and flat supporting surfaces 12 extending along opposite sides of the channel.

The seam strips 13 and the corner strips- 14 are formed of stout sheet metal stock. Each strip 13 is formed from an elongated blank sheet whose longitudinal margins are folded or rolled inwardly to form hook-like side flanges 13 extending the length of the strip and defining a vertical slot between them. These flanges are for engagement with the hook-like flanges 5 and 6 of the compartment panels 5 and 6 respectively. Each corner strip let-is also formed of an elongated T Lsaaeat blank folded along a medial line into an'angle, form and folded or rolled outwardly along its side margins to form outurned hook-like flanges 14 also for engagement with the panel flanges 5 and 6 at the compartment corners. The floor supporting members or column sections 15 are each formed of an elongated blank of stout sheet metal folded or rolled longitudinally to form a flat front portion 15 and two parallel, hook-like flanges 15 at the rear of said flat portion. The flanges 15 project rearward, open inward and are spaced apart to define a slot therebetween for the entrance of the flanged edges of the panels 5. There are also column sections 16 designed for attachment to the outermost panels 5, at the ends of the longitudinal corridors. These members are also formed of stout sheet metal similarly to members 15 but their cross sectional form is somewhat modified for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. Each member 16 has a flat front portion 16' and a rearwardly projecting hook-like flange 16 but its opposite margin 16 is extended rearward substantially at a right angle to the flat portion.

The panels 7 forming the floor of each compartment are preferably anchored together by a pair of trough-like metal track members 17 which are secured to the panels by battery,

riveting, spot welding, or otherwise. They may be attached to the panels either before or after the latter are placed in position. In order to position an automobile so' that suflicient clearance will be provided for opening its doors at one side the track members are offset to one side.

The building is conveniently erected from the parts described by first placing the sills 12 in proper position and, if required anchoring them in place in some suitable manner.

l Then, either the floor panels, or thevertical compartment panels of the lowermost row of compartments may be mounted upon the S1118. Assuming that the floor panels are first placed in position, their depending flanges 9* are inserted into the sill channels 12 while the horizontal flanges of the angle irons 9 rest upon the supports 12 at opposite sides of said channels asshown in Fig. 15. This figure shows the lower support for the flooring and paneling of two adjacent compartments.

Two thicknesses of the paneling 5 separate all adjacent compartments and to accommodate said thickness the channel 12 of each beam beneath said paneling is made wide enough to provide sufficient space between opposed flanges 9 the lower edges of panels 5. Said panels are inserted between the opposed flan es- 8 and between the opposed flanges 9 to t e bottom of the channel. Thereby .the panels 5 have slip joint connections with the sills designed to firmly support t em. Around the outer sides of the building the paneling 5 and 6 is of single thickness and thesills at such locaof the floor panels to accommodate tions maybe made with more narrow channels, or a filler may be provided for surplus partment are disposed with their hook-like flanges directed into the compartment and, to anchor together the panels in succession, the seam strips 13 are engaged with the pairs of adjacent panel. flanges and driven downward until they bottom upon the sills. The panel flanges fric-tionally engage in the flanges 13* of the seam strips and their bends closely engage each other within the slot of each strip as shown in Fig. 17. Thereby the panels are positively anchored together laterally while relative vertical displacement of the seam strips is resisted by the friction between the long interlocked flanges. At the rear'corners of the compartments the flanges of the adjacent panels 5 and 6 are interlocked with the seam strips 14 which are driven down to bottom upon the sills.

Having erected the vertical panels of the lowermost compartments, the panels 7 forming the ceilings of said compartments and the floors of the next compartments above are anchored in place by slipping the depending flanges 9 into the upwardly opening channels formed by the upper margins of panels 5 and the strips 5". The rearmost panel 7 of each compartment floor also bears angle irons 8 and 9 along its rear edge and forming upstanding and depending flanges 8-and 9 respectively. The flanges 9 are engaged in the channels at the upper ends of panels 6 formed by the upper margins of said panels and the strips 6. Next, the vertical walls of theupper compartments are erected. When these walls occur as partitions between adj acent compartments the panels5 have theirjacent upper and lower strips are made to occur at intermediate points between the floors so that maximum strength is had where this end the uppermost and lowermost strips are one half story inheight, while the intermediate strips are a full story in height.

The successive stories are built up in the manner described until the required building height has been reached. The driveway floors and ramps may be erected in succession along a with the erection of the compartments. Columns for supporting the floors are erected by engaging the column sections 15 with the hook-like flanges! at the forward edges of the walls between the compartments and the floors and vertical walls are joined. To I i drivin them downward in succession along said anges. The lowermost sections bottom upon the sills and each succeeding upper section abuts the one beneath it. In order that said abutments may occur between floors for greater strength, the uppermost and low-' ermost sections are made a half stor in length and the intermediate ones a ful story in length. The hook-like flanges 15 of the column sections make engagements with the flanges 5. At the proper levels angle clips 18 are bolted to the column sections and form supports for horizontal metal beams 19 extending along both sides of the longitudinal corridors the full length thereof. The beams are made in sections of suitable length and suitably joined together and are bolted to the clips 18 and tothe column sections 15. At the ends of the corridors the clips 18 are bolted to the column sections 16. The latter have their single flanges 16 engaging the panel flanges 5*- as shown in Fi 22. 'They are driven down the flanges 5 the lowermost sections bottoming upon the sill and the succeeding sections abuttingat points intermediate.

the floors. Their rearwardly turned margins 16 are bolted to the panels 5. The floor panels 10 are disposed edge to edge crosswise of the corridors and their flat ends rest upon the beams and are detachably bolted to them.

At an intermediate point in their length thethem. The panels 11 .and also the compartment floor panels 7 are cut away at their corners to provide clearance for the seam strips 13.

The ends of the longitudinal corridors are closed by panels 23-which are bolted or secured in any suitable manner to the column sections 16. Said panels are formed of panel sections 23 suitably reinforced, bolted together and formed to define window openings W at the upper floors and a doorway D at the ound floor.

The uilding is constructed throughout of previously fabricated parts which may be ordered from a manufacturer or dealer in the required number, transported in a flat, compact form to the building site and readily erected. Most of the parts are inexpensively constructed of sheet metal but are designed and joined to obtain great strength. The

compartment defining panels are joined ontirely by sli ,joints,thevertical panels 5 and 6 being uni by vertical slip joints made with the seam strips 13 and 14 which anchor the panels firmly together and also form columns of considerable strength to prevent buckling of the panels. Slip joint connections are also made between the floor panels 7 and the panels 5 and 6 through the engagement of the angle irons carried by panels 7 with panels 5 and 6. These slip joint connections in addition to supporting the floors give great lateral strength to the compartments as they extend almost continuously around three sides thereof. Additional lateral strength is imparted by the track members 17 anchoring together the panels 7. The column sections 15 and 16 are also attached to the panels 5 by slip joints for the effective mutual support of the panels and columns. Through their bolted connection with the beams 19 and the column sections, the ramps 10 of the driveway floors firmly anchor together all of the banks of compartments. Additional lateral strength is contributed by the joining of the ramp panels to the compartment structures.

The various compartment panels may be positively fastened'at their slip joint connections if desired by riveting, bolting or welding or they may be left free for ready separation. Many of the fabricated parts of the building are interchangeable and thereby facilitate the erection of the building. These parts are also formed for ready association with other similar parts for extending the structure laterally orvertically to increase its storage capacity. At flrstthe erection of the garage may be only tentative and only a modest number of compartments may be erected. If the location of the garage proves to be a good one more stories may be added or the building may be extended laterally to meet the demands of its patronage. On the other hand,'if the location of the garage proves to be an unprofitable one or it is required for any reason to vacate the site, the building may be readily taken down, and transported to another site.

The vertical outer walls of the building are formed-by the outermost panels 5 and 6 and by panels 23 while the roof is preferably formed by the uppermost compartment ceil-.

ing panels 7, by the uppermost floor panels 10 and the uppermost ramp panels 11. Each outer wall and roof forming panel may, if required, be covered at one face with heat insulation in order to retain heat in the building during cold weather and shield it from the heat of the sun during hot weather. In Fig. 23 an insulation panel 24 is shown as attached to the outer face of one of the panels 5. In the present instance said panel 24 comprises a sheet 250i celotex, cork o other suitable insulation material enclosed by sheet metal 26, and detachably bolted to panel 5. Similar panels24 may be similarly attached to the other outside panels of the building.

While I have shown and described a very desirable form of my invention I do not wish to be limited strictly to this disclosurebut reserve the right tomake such changes as will lie within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A garage structure comprising a number of independently fabricated panels shaped and assembled to form vertical walls for superposed automobile housings; vertical seam strips for anchoring together said panels, each strip having a vertical longitudinal slot; hook-like flanges carried by opposed vertical edges of said panels and anchored to the seam strips through the slots thereof; means forming upwardly opening channels carried by the'said panels and extending along the upper edges thereof; panels forming the floors and ceilings of said housings; and depending flanges carried by opposite edges of said latter panels and engaging in said channels for mutually supporting the floor and ceiling panels and the vertical wall panels, the joints formed by saidengaging flanges and channels serving to laterally strengthen the structure, and the seam strips forming columns vertically stiffening the ver-' tical wall panels.

2. A garage structure comprising a num ber of independently fabricated panels shaped and assembled to form vertical walls for superposed automobile housings opening in the same direction; stiff vertical seam strips for joining said panels; vertical longitudinal slip joint connections between said seam strips and panels anchoring them together: panels forming the floors and ceilings of said compartments supported by said panels and strips; stiff, vertical edge strips extending along the forward edges of certain of said panels at the open ends of the housings; vertical longitudinal slip joint connections between, said panels and the edge strips for anchoring the latter and supporting them upright; and panels forming a driveway floor communicating with the upper housings and supported by said edge strips, the edge strips and the seam strips forming columns vertically strengthening the structure. a

' garage structure comprising a number of independently fabricatedsheet metal panels shaped and assembled to form vertical walls of superposed automobile housing; hollow vertical seam strips for anchoring together said panels, each strip having a vertical longitudinal slot; hook-like flanges car-c ried bv opposed vertical edges of saidpanels extending for most of the length thereof, anchored to said seam strips through and along the slots thereof and frictionally fitting the edge margins of the strips along the slots; panels forming floors and ceilings for'said housings; and means anchoring said floor and ceiling panels to the vertical wall panels for their mutual support and for the lateral strengthening of the structure, the seam strips forming columns vertically stifiening the vertical wall'panels.

4. In a cellular garage structure wherein tiers of inwardly opening automobile storage compartments are disposed to define two corridor spaces overlying different ground areas with the tiers of compartments opening upon one of said corridor spaces arranged in staggeredvlevels with relation to those opening upon the other corridor space; independently fabricated sheet metal panels forming the vertical walls-of said compartments slip joint connections between said panels of each tier anchoring them together; independently fab ricated sheet metal panels forming the floors and ceilings of said compartments; slip joint connections for anchoring the'latter panels tosaid vertical panels for their mutual support; driveway floors at staggered levels extending along and across said corridor spaces and formed of independently fabricated sheet metal panels; means supporting said floor panels in place through the medium of the compartment tier structures; and ramps connecting said driveway floors and supported by the tier structures.

5. A garage structure comprising opposed tiers of inwardly opening automobile storage compartments disposed to define a corridor space therebetween and formed ofupright and horizontal panels formed and assembled to define the compartments; vertical column members, disposed along opposite sides ofthe corridor space; interlocking joints between said column members and the forward edges of said upright panels at the compartment openings, said joints extending along said panel edges and supporting the column members upright; and independently fabricated panels forming a driveway floor extending along and across the corridor space and supported by the column members.

' 6. A garage structure comprising a number of independently fabricated panels shaped and assembled to form the vertical walls of an automobile housing; vertical'seam structures anchoring together said panels; means forming upwardly opening channels carried'by said panels and extending along the upper edges .thereof; panels forming a ceiling for said housing; depending flanges.

carried by the opposite edges'of said ceiling panels and engaging in said upwardly opening channels for mutually supporting the ceiling panels and said vertical wall panels; panels forming a floor for the housing; depending flanges carried by opposite edges of said fioor panels; and sill beams supporting the housing and formed with longitudinal channels into. which the depending floor-1 panel flanges and the lower edge margins of the vertical panels are fitted for the mutual support of the vertical panels and the floor panels.

7. A garage structurecomprisin a num ber of independently fabricate panels shaped and assembled to form the vertical walls of an automobile housing; vertical seam structures anchoring together said panels and forming still columns; means forming upwardly opening channels carried by said panels and extending along the upper edges thereof; anels' forming a ceiling for said housing; epending flanges carried by the opposite edges of said ceiling panels and engaging in said upwardly opening channels 'for mutually supporting the ceiling panels and said vertical wall panels; panels forming a floor for the housing; depending flanges carried b opposite edges of said floor panels; and sill eams supporting the housing and formed with longitudinal channels into which the depending floor panel flanges and the lower edge margins of the vertical panels are fitted for the mutual support of the vertical panels and the floor panels, said columns resting at their lower ends upon said beams.

r 8. A garage structure defining superposed rows of mutually supporting automobile storage compartments and comprisin a number of independently fabricated s eet metal panels disposed to form the vertical walls of said compartments; stifi vertical seam-formin means forming interlocking connections etween and along the vertical edges of the vertical panels of each compartment and joining each compartment to the adjacent superposed compartment in vertical succession and forming stiffening columns; means laterall anchoring together the compartments in tli cated panels forming floors and roofs for said compartments; and interlocking concession' and forming stifiening columns; re-

nections between said floor and roof panels and the vertical panels, supporting the floor and roof panels and horizontally stifl'ening the vertical panels between said columns, the floor and roof panels and their interlocking supporting connections laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and cooperating with the seam-forming means to form a rigid structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads. I I

9. A knock-down, variable-capacity garage structure defining superposed rows of mutually supporting automobile storage compartments and comprising a number of independently fabricated sheet metal panels disposed to form the vertical walls of the compartments; stifl vertical seam-forming means forming-releasable interlocking connections between and along thevertical edges of the vertical panels of. each compartment and joining each compartment to the adjacent superposed compartment in vertical suce rows; independently fabri-- leasable interlocking means laterally anchoring together the compartments in the rows; independently fabricated panels forming floors and roofs for said compartments; an

releasable interlocking connections between said floor and roof panels and the vertical panels supporting the floor and roof anels and horizontally stifiening the vertica panels between said columns, the floor and roof panels and their interlocking supporting connections laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and cooperating with the seam forming means to form a rigid structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads.

10. A garage structure defining superposed rows of mutually supporting automosa bile storage compartments and comprising a number of independently fabricated sheet metal panels for each compartment disposed to form the vertical walls of vsaid compartments and having stifli'ening flanges along their vertical edges and upwardly opening stiffening channels along their upper edges; stifi vertical seam strips interlocking with said flanges along the vertical edges of the panels", holding. together the panels of each compartment and holding each compartment to the adjacent superposed compartment in vertical succession and forming columns; in-

terlocking means laterally anchoring togetherthe compartments in the rows; and independently fabricated. panels forming floors and roofs for said compartments and having depending stiffening flanges along their opposite edges fitting downward in said channels for supporting the floors and roofs and upwardly extending stiffening flanges engaging the vertical panels, the floor and roof panels and their supporting connections anchoring the vertical panels together laterally and said channels and floor and panel flanges stiffening the vertical panels horizontally between the seam structures therebetween and cooperating with the seam structures to form a rigid garage structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads.

11. A garage structure defining two groups III) upper driveway floor along said corridor space and supported by said latter columns, the columns, the vertical seam-forming means and the interlocking floor and roof supportingmeans cooperating to form a rigid garage structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads.

12. A garage structure defining superposed rows of mutually supporting automobile storage compartments and comprising a number of independently fabricated sheet metal panels for each compartment disposed to form the vertical walls of said compartments and having stiflening flanges along their vertical edges and upwardly opening stiffening channels along their upper edges; stiff vertical seam strips interlocking with said flanges along the vertical edges of the panels, holding together the panels of each compartment and holding each compartment to the adjacent superposed compartment in vertical succession and forming columns; independently fabricated panels forming floors and roofs for said compartments and having depending stiffening flanges along their opposite edges fitting downward in said channels for supporting the floors and roofs, and upwardly extendmg stiflening flanges engaging the vertical panels, the floor and roof panels and their supportng connections laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and said channels and floor and roof panel flanges stiffening the vertical panels horizontally between the seam structures therebetween and coopcrating with the seam structure to form a rigid garage structure and reinforce the vertical anels to resist the compressive stress of the fibor loads; and anchored, foundation sill-forming beams having channels receiving the lower ends of the lowermost vertical compartment panels and the depending flanges of the lowermost floor panels.

13. A garage structure defining superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of independently fabricated sheet metal panels disposed to form the vertical walls of said housings; stifi', vertical seam-forming means forming interlocking connections between and along the vertical edges of the vertical panels of each housing and joining each housing to the adjacent superposed housing in vertical succession and forming stiffening columns; independently fabricated panels forming floors and roofs for said housings;

and interlocking connections between said floor and roof panels and the vertical panels, supporting the floor and roof panels and horizontally stiffening the vertical panelsbeforming means to form a rigid structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads.

14. A knock-down, variable-capacity garage structure defining superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of independently fabricated sheet metal panels disposed to form the vertical walls of the housings; stiff vertical seam-forming means forming releasable interlocking connections between and along the vertical edges of the vertical panels of each housing and joining each housing to the adjacent superposed housing in vertical succession and forming stiffening columns; independently fabricated panels forming floors and roofs for said housings; releasable interlocking connections between said floor and roof panels and the vertical panels supporting the floor and roof panels and horizontally stiffening the vertical panels between said columns, the floor and roof panels and their interlocking supporting connections laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and cooperating with the seam-forming means to form a rigid structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stressof the floor loads.

15. A garage structure defining superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of independently fabricated panels for each housing disposed to formthe vertical walls of said housings and having stiffening flanges along their vertical edges and upwardly opening stiffening channels along their upper edges; stiff vertical seam strips interlocking with said flanges along the vertical edges of the panels, holding together the panels of each housing and holding each housingto the adjacent superposed housing in vertical succession and forming columns;

independently fabricated panels forming floors'and roofs for said housings and having depending stiffening flanges along their opposite edges fitting downward in said channels for supporting the floors and roofs and upwardly extending stifi'ening flanges engaging the vertical panels, the floor and roof panels and their supporting connections anchoring the vertical panels together laterally and said channels and floor and roof panel flanges stiffening the vertical panels horizontally between the seam structures therebetween and cooperating with the seam structures to form a rigid garage structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads.

16. A self-supporting garage structure defining superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of panels disposed to form the vertical walls of said housings; stiff vertical seam-forming means forming interlocking connections between and along the vertical edges of said vertical wall-forming panels of each housing and also connecting and joining together the superposed housings in vertical succession; panels forming floors and roofs for said housings; and joint structures between said vertical panels and said floor and roof panels and supporting the floor and roof panelsin place, said floor and roof panels and joint structures laterally anchoring-together the vertical panels and cooperating with the vertical seam-forming means to form a rigid self-supporting structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the con1- pressive stress of the floor loads. I

17. A self-supporting garage structure defining superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of panels disposed to form the vertical walls of said housings; stifi' vertical seam-forming means extending along and joining the vertical edges of said vertical wall-forming panels of each housing and also connecting and joining together the superposed housings in vertical succession; panels forming floors and roofs for said housings; interlocking joint structures between said vertical panels and said floor and roof panels and supporting the floor and roof panels in place, said floor and roof panels and joint structures laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and cooperating with the vertical seam-forming means to form a rigid self-supporting structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress I of the floor loads.

18. A self-supporting knock-down garage structure defimng superposed automobile housings and comprising a number of panels disposed to form the vertical walls of said housings; stifi vertical seam-forming means forming releasable interlocking means for holding the superposed housings in vertical succession; panels forming floors and roofs for said housings; and releasableinterlocking joint structures between said vertical panels and said floor and roof panels and supporting the floor and roof panels in a place, said floor and roof panels and joint structures laterally anchoring together the vertical panels and cooperating with the vertical seam-forming means to form a' self-supporting structure and reinforce the vertical panels to resist the compressive stress of the floor loads. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto'afiix my signature.

FERNAND E. DHUMY. 

